Italian Carabinieri officers check a person before Pope Francis' Sunday Angelus prayer in St.Peter's square at the Vatican, on November 22, 2015. Photo courtesy of REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi
*Editors: This photo may only be republished wth RNS-VATICAN-TRIAL, originally transmitted on Nov. 23, 2015.

“Widespread condemnation”? Only the two organizations cited have done so. And even they blame “the Vatican” even though it was Pope Francis, as absolute dictator, who enacted the law shortly after being elected which criminalized leaks and who fully supports this prosecution of journalists. No one in the media, including RNS, has done so.
Even though the information in the two books illustrate the lack of transparency during this pontificate and lack of accountability (as the authors note, those guilty of financial malfeasance are not the ones being tried) and that the pope et al are pocketing charitable donations, RNS joins the rest of the media in stating the books prove Pope Francis is “reforming” the Church’s finances.

samuel johnston

Like all States, the Vatican State burocracy wishes to do its business in secret, and only be accoutable to itself. The only check on the abuse of power by officials is their fear of the consequences of exposure. In this case we have strong evidence of widespread common law crimes including massive embezzlement, and even murder. The “crimes” of those on trial are insignificant by comparison.
By the way, is morality even a concern of the Vatican? What would Jesus do?